Eat & Drink

6 restaurants to get your sushi fix at in Kansas City

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City's sushi scene is growing as local diners crave fresh experiences that blend tradition and innovation.

Maybe you're lucky enough to score a reservation at the city's only omakase restaurant, Sushi Kodawari, where meticulously prepared Edomae-style sushi creates an intimate culinary journey.

Nōka exemplifies creativity with its focus on dry-aging fish and fermentation, delivering inventive dishes that highlight their connection to local farms. For those seeking a casual yet novel experience, Kata Nori's hand rolls combine accessibility with a fresh take on sushi dining.

For a tech-forward twist, Kura Sushi integrates conveyor belts and robotic elements to modernize the traditional sushi bar. Together, these destinations showcase how Kansas City's sushi scene continues to flourish.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

This sushi roll at Blue Sushi Sake Grill includes salmon, cream cheese, jalapeño and shrimp tempura, topped with sriracha sauce.

NO. 1: SUSHI PLACE HAS ‘A FOLLOWING’ IN JOHNSON COUNTY. SO IT OPENED ONE IN KC POWER & LIGHT

It offers sushi, calamari, lettuce wraps, poke, sake flights, specialty cocktails and more. | Published February 3, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

Avalon Cortez prepares a Wagyu hand roll at Kata Nori. The Crossroads restaurant is now open at 404 E. 18th St.

NO. 2: ‘A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUSHI EXPERIENCE’ AT THIS NEWLY OPENED KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT

The space has a 24-seat, U-shaped sushi counter. Wait your turn in a lounge with black leather seating. | Published September 29, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Texan Roll arrives via conveyor belt at Kura Sushi.

NO. 3: AT THIS NEW KANSAS CITY SUSHI RESTAURANT, CONVEYOR BELTS AND ROBOTS DELIVER YOUR MEAL

A window into the future of dining — one version of it, anyway — can now be glimpsed on the Country Club Plaza. | Published December 22, 2023 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Hawaiian Roll at Blue Sushi Sake Grill is tempura fried with salmon, crab mix and mangoes. Nothing raw in this one. By Jaylon Thompson

NO. 4: ROYALS’ BOBBY WITT JR. LOVES THIS SUSHI IN KC. SO I CONQUERED MY FEARS AND TRIED SOME

The Kansas Royals superstar shortstop loves this restaurant. And now I do too. | Published April 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Sablefish marinated for four days in shiro miso from Kyoto. Served with a Japanese pickled cucumber, lotus root and myoga ginger. By Roy Inman

NO. 5: NEW KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT COSTS $175 FOR A MEAL. I HAD TO FIND OUT: IS IT WORTH IT?

With just eight seats, reservations are hard to come by at this new restaurant. But I got in. Here’s what it’s like. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Noka’s dry-aged salmon nigiri includes sushi rice, dry-aged fish with a rich color, crème fraîche and a lemon harissa powder.

NO. 6: WHY I CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY AT THIS KC RESTAURANT BEFORE TRAVIS KELCE AND TAYLOR SWIFT

The upscale spot is great for special occasions, especially in the winter. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wise

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.